A team of secondary school students has won two silvers, two bronzes and an honourable mention for Hong Kong at the 44th International Mathematical Olympiad in Tokyo.

The contest was held July 11-19 and 82 teams from around the world participated.

The main aims of this year's event were:

* to foster friendly international relationships with fellow mathematicians from around the globe;

* to discover, encourage and challenge mathematically gifted young people; and

*  to promote mathematics education.

The following is a list of Hong Kong winners:

Silver

*Kwok Tsz-chiu, Secondary Five, Yuen Long Merchants Association Secondary School

*Yu Hok-pun , Secondary Seven, SKH Bishop Baker Secondary School

Bronze

*Siu Tsz-hang, Secondary Seven, STFA Leung Kau Kui College

*Yeung Kai-sing, Secondary Six, La Salle College

Honourable Mention

Chung Tat-chi, Secondary Six, Queen Elizabeth School

Hong Kong ranked 23rd overall

Among the participating teams, Bulgaria ranked top, China and the US were first and second runners-up. They were followed by Vietnam and Russia.

Hong Kong ranked 23rd, on a par with Argentina, outperforming Greece, Spain, Singapore, Belgium, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, Italy, New Zealand, Austria, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland and many others.

The award presentation ceremony was held on July 19 and His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince of Japan, Naruhito Kotashi, officiated.

Selection contest challenges mathematically gifted

Hong Kong has been taking part in the Olympiad since 1988. In collaboration with the IMO Hong Kong Committee, the Education & Manpower Bureau organises the annual IMO Preliminary Selection Contest - Hong Kong  to challenge and nurture mathematically gifted students.

A series of structured enhancement programmes are arranged through the bureau's Support Measures for the Exceptionally Gifted Students Scheme for high achieving students at the contest before they are nominated to take part in the Olympiad.